10 years ago today I had my Gastric Bypass....And, it failed

Thanks for this Heather. The BOB actually has been successful for many; I think those with revisions are probably extra careful to follow the rules because they are so greatful for a second chance. I'm glad you are doing so well.

I hope I am never in the position to need a revision, physically I am not sure my body could take it, but I have learned at this point in my live to never say "never".

Life happens. Good for you for doing what you needed to do when you needed to do it.

Thanks Heather...

I just was referred last week and am just entering the process... and i'm reading a lot here...

And most of what I read is about the success stories... people who share how wonderful it is. I'm sure it is, and I'm sure it will be a wonderful solution for me as well.

BUT, your message reminds me that having WLS is NOT an "easier softer way". You message reinforces in me the fact that, in addition to the surgery, "I" have to change my behaviour and my relationship to food.  Certainly, the WLS will help me do that in the first couple of years, but in the long term "I" have to modify my eating to stay healthy.

I know it is not going to be easy, but it certainly is going to be worth it.

Thanks for your message.

Peter

Great post.
I am also glad that you see that regain and losing the weight again was your responsibility.

I know I can easily gain back my weight. and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to keep the weight off and lose any regain. 

Amazing stories OH family. Thank you so much for sharing.

And this is what so many call the easy way out eh?

I'm 4 years out, put 25 pounds back on and am struggling with that before it turns to 50. I have a large pouch as well and can eat an amazing amout of food at times. Scares me. I actually am thankful when I dump. Means things are still working.

The surgeries are tools, and the fight is forever. Our demons will never go away. We need to fight them for the rest of our entire lives. That's why we're all here.

Thank you so much for your inspiration Heather, and God bless you on this lifelong journey.

Umm, I just want to say that actually the surgery can fail you. Not you or your surgeon failing, its your surgery type. Statistics show the re-gain is much more common and higher with Gastric bypass because of the way it is set up.

Also why did you get a band over your pouch? Why not just revise to a DS? I think that would have given you more 100% chance of maintenance and weight loss. I personally strongly dislike the RNY and Lap-band.

Re-gain is completely possible. Just with some surgeries it less likely then others.

-Jessyw

Jesse, you only had surgery in 2009, 10 yes ago a DS was only for those who had sweet issues as were super obese. I chose the RNY and I don't regret my decision! 2 yes ago, whe researching revisions I contemplated the BOB and a RNY revision. A dS was too drastic and would have been difficult according to both surgeons consulted based on my open RNY - and yea I spoke with a preimer DS doctor (Roslin). I made the decision that was right for me plus I'm very anemic and don't want a lifetime of malabsorption issues not did o want to test fate and Maybe die (yes I know those that did and came close).

I can't speak to ten years ago, but NINE years ago, the DS was NOT only for those who were super-obese. And I don't know where you're getting the idea that the DS is now or ever has been "only for those who had sweet issues."  The DS doesn't address "sweet issues" in any more drastic way than does the RNY---less so, since there's no dumping.

The bottom line is that the DS has proven to have better long-term, maintained weight-loss stats for patients of ANY size, but even moreso for those with a BMI great than 50. It's also the best at resolving or preventing co-morbs like diabettes and high cholesterol.

I'm glad you BOB is working well for you, and I hope it continues to do so. But I'm in the camp that believes your RNY failed you, not that you failed your RNY. Obviously your stoma was too large, or the BOB wouldn't have given you such marvelous help.

 As I said before, my stoma is still entact, the pouch enlarged.  

According to the ASBMA, the pouch size doesn't matter, as long as the stoma is smaller than 4 cms.

Either way---mechanical failure. Just why is it that you're so determined to take the blame on yourself, rather than thinking your surgery failed?